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ESD for MAB BRs and other Designated Areas

The workshop organised by MIO-ECSDE / MEdIES Initiative with the support of the UNESCO Venice Office, in the frame of the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme - Grundtvig workshops, will be convened in the Attica and Amfissa regions, Greece, from 30 March to 5 April 2012. Co-organizers of this event are: University of Athens / UNESCO Chair & Network on Management and Education for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean, Greek MAB /UNESCO Committee, Centre of Environmental Education, Lavrion, and the Centre of Environmental Education, Amfissa.

The event will offer capacity building to personnel of UNESCO/MAB Biosphere Reserves (BRs) and other kinds of Designated Areas (DAs) and/or Protected Areas on the added value of integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the activities designed for visitors to their Reserves or Parks (i.e. Schools, adult groups, individual visitors, etc.). The workshop is based, among others, on the new UNESCO/MEdIES publication/training material on “ESD in MAB BRs and other designated areas in SE Europe and the Mediterranean”.

The workshop will provide training in an integrated way about the theory, history, and philosophy of ESD in any Designated Area and give emphasis to the role of Biosphere Reserves as Learning Sites or “Laboratories” of ESD through lectures, and practical workshops. It will provide the opportunity for participants from different countries to exchange experiences, and views on skills and good practices regarding the ESD in their country through round tables and group discussions. Finally, it will highlight the fundamental conditions for the development of Sustainable Development in any Designated Area and in particular the implementation of ESD programmes as well as through teaching modules.

As the flagship European Funding programme in the field of education and training, the Lifelong Learning Programme enables individuals at all stages of their lives to pursue stimulating learning opportunities across Europe; it is an umbrella programme integrating various educational and training initiatives. Grundtvig aims to provide adults with ways to improve their knowledge and skills, keeping them mentally fit and potentially more employable.